Meanwhile, NECC and Bharat Egg Producers' Association (BEPC) are making efforts on their own to import at least 10,000 tonne of maize in the coming month. The imported maize will be sold to the poultry farmers on a no- profit and no- loss basis. According to NECC officials, the associations have already started holding discussions with foreign companies and soon orders will be confirmed. NECC and BEPA are both voluntary associations of egg producers.

The availability of maize in the current year has been abnormally low resulting in unprecedented increase in prices, an official at the NECC told The Financial Express. ``We have seen a shortfall in maize supply before, but never to this extent.'' Prices of maize have gone up from Rs 4,500 per tonnein 1997-98 to Rs 6,750 per tonne.

Maize constitutes around 60 per cent of the feed ratios and therefore even a small increase in the price can wipe out the farmers' profits. Moreover, feed cost amount to nearly 75 per cent of the cost of production of eggs and broilers.

To make things worse the price of eggs and broilers are also under pressure due to the summer season, said the NECC official. ``This is making the going harder for the farmers. A large number of them are already considering closing their farms.''

As the next harvest season of maize is only four months away, experts feel that if enough maize is supplied to the farmers to meet their demand in this time period, the problem could be solved.

However, things need to be done fast as the situation has already reached a boiling point. ``It will be bad for the economy if small farmers are forced to close their farms because of the maize shortage.''

The NECC and BEPA is hoping that the ministry of agriculture will act fast on its request toimport substantial quantities of maize exclusively for the use of poultry farmers to help them tide over.